Have you taken the NYS Teacher Certification Exams? HELP...

[DonaldsGrl103]

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of taking all my teacher certifications exam. My first one is this Saturday and it is the LAST. I could not believe it cost 88 dollars! Anyway, I heard from my peers in school, oh dont worry if you dont pass it you can take it again. However, 88 dollars is alot of money to me and I am very anal about passing tests. So does anyone have any advice or strategies for passing the LAST? I know studying which is what I have been doing. If you dont have any advice how about some good disboard wishes
THANKS

 

[momof2inPA]

Judging from your punctuation, or lack there of, and use of the word "takened," I would study a bit before any exams. Best of luck.

 

[Disneemomee]

Good Luck i took the last test and the atw test the year they came out in 1995 I remember the last test was relatively easy it was more general questions butthe atw seemd to focus on topics relative to teaching good luck

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I would find a study guide and brush up on my grammar skills. Good Luck!

 

[DonaldsGrl103]

Judging from your punctuation, or lack there of, and use of the word "takened," I would study a bit before any exams. Best of luck.

Actually, this is pretty upsetting! When I write things on message boards I do not check, or even think about using correct grammar. Therefore, I expect advice not judgment when I post something like this. I currently have a 3.96 GPA in graduate school and do not think I would have accomplished this if I could not use proper grammar.
You really hurt my feelings. I actually came on the disboards for an uplifter and this is what I get

 

[Disney 4me]

I felt the need to respond to your post as well... I am also a NYS educator. Actually there are several grammer errors in your message;however the spelling error in your title was the most obvious. I am sure that as you were typing away, you never imagined that your grammer would be critiqued.While the other poster may have been a little harsh, remember that as an educator, you are perceived as a person who demonstrates correct usage of language.After all, we are teaching children, and parents depend on us to know how to spell.Children learn by example.I admit, I cringed when I read your post.I realize that all you were doing was typing on a message board, not writing lesson plans, but it is sort of like a nurse who, while off duty, does not administer proper first aid because she /he simply "was not thinking". I really do think that if and when you do become a certified teacher, correct grammer will just be automatic since you will be required to teach /use it in the classroom.I often will proofread other teacher's articles/papers and they do the same for me. Do not feel too bad about the other poster(or me!)I bet she was just surprised at the error.There is not a whole lot you can study for before your exam. Much of it is based on what you have already been taught. Best wishes!

 

[thepianoman]

I felt the need to respond to your post as well... I am also a NYS educator. Actually there are several grammer errors in your message;however the spelling error in your title was the most obvious. I am sure that as you were typing away, you never imagined that your grammer would be critiqued.While the other poster may have been a little harsh, remember that as an educator, you are perceived as a person who demonstrates correct usage of language.After all, we are teaching children, and parents depend on us to know how to spell.Children learn by example.I admit, I cringed when I read your post.I realize that all you were doing was typing on a message board, not writing lesson plans, but it is sort of like a nurse who, while off duty, does not administer proper first aid because she /he simply "was not thinking". I really do think that if and when you do become a certified teacher, correct grammer will just be automatic since you will be required to teach /use it in the classroom.I often will proofread other teacher's articles/papers and they do the same for me. Do not feel too bad about the other poster(or me!)I bet she was just surprised at the error.There is not a whole lot you can study for before your exam. Much of it is based on what you have already been taught. Best wishes!

From a fellow educator, the word you were looking for was:

GRAMMAR

 

[disykat]

While I think most people make more errors writing casually on message boards than they do professionally, I sort of thought the OP was making a bad joke. A little editing would go a long way towards getting different responses.

The fact that the post was about teacher certification exams causes people to expect an educated tone to come through in the post, whereas no one would think a thing of it if the post was about what to eat for dinner that night. It sort of reminded me of an episode of REBA where the ditzy blond daughter decided to become a dentist because she thought she'd like "dentisting".

 

[LorieR]

I felt the need to respond to your post as well... I am also a NYS educator. Actually there are several grammer errors in your message;however the spelling error in your title was the most obvious. I am sure that as you were typing away, you never imagined that your grammer would be critiqued.While the other poster may have been a little harsh, remember that as an educator, you are perceived as a person who demonstrates correct usage of language.After all, we are teaching children, and parents depend on us to know how to spell.Children learn by example.I admit, I cringed when I read your post.I realize that all you were doing was typing on a message board, not writing lesson plans, but it is sort of like a nurse who, while off duty, does not administer proper first aid because she /he simply "was not thinking". I really do think that if and when you do become a certified teacher, correct grammer will just be automatic since you will be required to teach /use it in the classroom.I often will proofread other teacher's articles/papers and they do the same for me. Do not feel too bad about the other poster(or me!)I bet she was just surprised at the error.There is not a whole lot you can study for before your exam. Much of it is based on what you have already been taught. Best wishes!

Actually, there are quite a few punctuation errors in your post. Unfortunately, just because people receive their teacher certification does not guarantee correct grammar, spelling or punctuation.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I don't believe that the OP's intent was to start a thread about spelling errors and punctuation rules. Let's try to focus on the original question.

 

[comicguy]

The LAST is not really that bad. I had taken the exam in Spring of '03. I scored much better than I thought I was going to. Just remember it is a general knowledge test involving (math, science, english, and social studies) with a written essay at the end. If you really want to study for this exam I would suggest reviewing area of the above subjects that you are not comfortable with ar do not do well with, but do not spend alot of time on any one item because they can ask a wide range of questions.

The ATS-W on the other hand, I found hard while I was taking it. But again, I scored much better than I thought at the time of the test. When you study for this book make sure you get the study guide for it, IT really helped to focus on what they were looking for with the answers.

You will most likely walk away from the exams thinking that you did not do well and have to wait the 6 weeks to find out that you did better than you thought.

Good Luck and do not let the stress get to you.

Dave

 

[tarabeth]

I realize you have received much criticism but the test is the LAST not the LSAT - a much different test and qualification. Good luck and it is important to always check your work....

 

[hsmamato2]

Actually, this is pretty upsetting! When I write things on message boards I do not check, or even think about using correct grammar. Therefore, I expect advice not judgment when I post something like this. I currently have a 3.96 GPA in graduate school and do not think I would have accomplished this if I could not use proper grammar.
You really hurt my feelings. I actually came on the disboards for an uplifter and this is what I get

Far be it from me to always have perfect punctuation... but...
...I kind of thought the same as pp's....I laughed when I read the title,then I read the thread and realized it was a serious question....It's good you have a high gpa,and I know nothing about these tests,but I would desperately hope for the sake of children in the system,that spelling,grammar and punctuation would count towards a score- though almost everywhere I look now,I find myself cringing at the misspellings and innacuracies- newspapers,magazines,ads,messages on boards...school bulletins and chalkboards...I sometimes think I'm the only one who still notices!
I don't know, message boards are for soliciting public opinion,and sometimes others have different opinions than we do...just the facts....

 

[MickeyP]

Get used to it. Teachers must be accountable for every word spoken. There's always going to be someone there to correct you and say, "And she's a TEACHER!"
I, too, did not respond when I read this last night just because of the word takened. It reminded me of Joey on FRIENDS when his supposeably was supposed to be supposedly.
Lastly, when someone criticizes you, do not list your certificates, diplomas, and how much education you've had. Simply admit your mistake. It's much classier.

 

[Lisa_M]

I don't know about the LAST exam, I recently took (and passed) the School Psychologist Praxis and well as the PPST Praxis required for my certification in PA and I understand a bit how your feeling. If you have prepared with the study guide, then try to relax a bit before the test. You don't want to go into the test feeling too anxious and not focused. Just do the best you can and if you pass, you pass. If not, prepare differently and take it again. Isn't that what teachers tell the kids to do to prepare for exams like the Regents? Good luck to you!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of taking all my teacher certifications exam. My first one is this Saturday and it is the LSAT. I could not believe it cost 88 dollars! Anyway, I heard from my peers in school, oh dont worry if you dont pass it you can take it again. However, 88 dollars is alot of money to me and I am very anal about passing tests. So does anyone have any advice or strategies for passing the LSAT? I know studying which is what I have been doing. If you dont have any advice how about some good disboard wishes
THANKS

I thought the LSAT is for law school?

My best advice is to study, review, and study some more before the test. Eat a good breakfast and try to RELAX the day of the test.

Good luck!

 

[patsal]

What advice would you give to a student who wanted to know how to prepare for one of your tests? Study, prepare, rest well the night before and be sure to have a complete breakfast with protein to hold you through the test. As far as not wanting your errors critiqued, you're going to need to be prepared to have everything you do examined under a microscope as a teacher. Everything you do needs to be perfect. Even then it will be criticized since you will be working for the public sector and the expectations are high (as they should be) and not many people will care about what your GPA is. They will be expecting that "Bob and Hannah" are getting a solid, fair education from a well educated, competent, professional...
Review what you have been taught, check the study guide to get an idea of the way questions are worded, rest and have a good breakfast. Good luck!

 

[samanthacatangel]

I thought the LSAT is for law school?

My best advice is to study, review, and study some more before the test. Eat a good breakfast and try to RELAX the day of the test.

Good luck!

The LSAT is for law school. The test is the LAST (Liberal Arts and Sciences Test.) Used to be "General Knowledge" test many moons ago. I took the LAST back in 1998, and it was just like playing Jeopardy, with some questions in each subject. Here is the preparation guide:

http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/PDFs/NY_fld001_prepguide.pdf

Just take your time, and answer everything.

Here are all of the guides available:

http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_viewSG_opener.asp


And some advice for the ATS-W (Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written.) Remember, for every situation given, the answer is "What would the State of NY want you to do in the stated case?" I found there was one answer that was ridiculous, and two more that were difficult to choose between .


I just took my CST (Content Specialty Test) in Biology a few months ago. I HIGHLY recommend to take this as soon as possible, as it is closest to when you actually learned it in college. I have a B.S. in Biology, but spent 5 years teaching Physics, Chem and Earth Science. I used the Regent's guide to study for the CST, and I did well , but if I took it right out of college I wouldn't have had to study at all.

Good luck!

Samantha

 

[DawnM]

$88 is very reasonable. The NTE cost $75 sixteen years ago. I had to take it twice. It was very frustrating because I did not major in the subject area in which I was taking the test.

Now that I am a school counselor and have moved to a new state they want me to take the Praxis in Counseling. I think it is over $100.

And, think of it this way....my DH is an accountant and his test costs over $500.

Anyway, anytime I have had to take a test like this (GRE, NTE, CBEST) I get the study guides and take as many practice tests as I can. I get to know the lay out of the test and how the tests are worded so that I don't have to focus on HOW to take the test, only on the test itself. It has really helped.

Best wishes,

Dawn

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of taking all my teacher certifications exam. My first one is this Saturday and it is the LSAT. I could not believe it cost 88 dollars! Anyway, I heard from my peers in school, oh dont worry if you dont pass it you can take it again. However, 88 dollars is alot of money to me and I am very anal about passing tests. So does anyone have any advice or strategies for passing the LSAT? I know studying which is what I have been doing. If you dont have any advice how about some good disboard wishes
THANKS

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

Here's wishing you good luck